1. Downfall of the Soviet Union
The End of the Cold War

2. Problems in the Soviet Union
The command economy in Russia stagnates
The Soviet gov’t poured resources into science and technology instead of industry
Sputnik satellite in 1957
The arms race
Soviet goods were far inferior from consumer products made in the west
Could not compete with the United States any longer

3. Soviets in Afghanistan
In 1979, the Soviet Union became involved in a long war with Afghanistan
Support the Afghan gov’t to modernize the nation
Afghan warlords and Muslim conservatives thought that the Soviets threatened Islamic tradition
Muslim guerillas defeat the Soviets using American weapons

5. Perestroika Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985
Pulled Soviet troops out of Afghanistan
Signs arms control treaties with USA
Urged perestroika for the Soviet Union
Restructuring of gov’t and economy

6. Mr. Gorbachev Gorbachev’s policies feed unrest
Glasnost- talk about Soviet problems openly
Eastern Europeans begin to oppose communist rule
Countries of the Soviet Union break away and declare independence
Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and other countries demand freedom

7. “Tear down this wall”
East Germans demanded freedoms that West Germans had
Many flee to the west
In 1990, Germany was reunited
The Berlin Wall was demolished

10. Fall of the Soviet Union
In 1991 Gorbachev signed a treaty to limit Soviet power
Forced to resign
Communist hardliners attempt to overthrow the gov’t
Russian president resists the takeover
Led to the breakup of the Soviet Union

12. The Superpower
After the collapse of the Soviet Union the USA was the only remaining superpower
Became the leading military power
Increased American involvement in world affairs